Admissions

BSW ADMISSIONS

Admission to the Social Work Major

Students applying to and continuing in the BSW Program at Western Kentucky University
are expected to possess, appreciate, and continue to develop a number of personal
qualities and characteristics. Among these are (1) self-awareness, (2) professional
commitment and behavior, (3) objectivity, (4) acceptance of diversity and (5) freedom
from chemical dependency and unresolved emotional issues. For a complete description
of these and other qualities see pp. 23-25 of the BSW Student Handbook

Academic Advising

Students who declare social work as a major are assigned an advisor from the BSW faculty.
Advisor assignments are made by contacting Dr. Dana Sullivan, BSW Director, at (270)
745-5312 or visiting the departmental office in Academic Complex 211. Declaration
of social work as a major requires completion of the Change of Major/Minor/Advisor
form available on Topnet. The completed form must be printed and delivered to Dr. Dana
Sullivan in AC 211.

Applying for Admission

Students wishing to major in social work must complete an application, which is reviewed
by the Admission & Retention (A&R) Committee. The A&R Committee, composed of the BSW
faculty, meets three times per academic year to review applications. Completed applications
must be returned to the BSW Program Director, Dr. Dana Sullivan, Academic Complex.
Detailed application procedures and forms are available at: Application Procedures

Transfer Students

The first step in the transfer process is admission to WKU. Students transferring
into the social work major should contact an academic advisor as early as possible
in the transfer process. Advisor assignments are made by contacting Dr. Dana Sullivan,
BSW Director, at (270) 745-5312 or visiting the departmental office in Academic Complex
211. For information about how a specific course will transfer to WKU visit the Transfer
Credit Articulation Page.

Application Requirements

In order to be considered for admission to the social work major, students must complete
all prerequistes for the major, attain a GPA of 2.5 or higher (2.2 GPA for students
enrolled at WKU prior to fall 2009), achieve sophomore status, and complete the application
process. Full details of the application requirements are available at: Application
Procedures

Deadlines for submitting applications

November 1: for students wishing to begin the major in the following spring semester

April1: for students wishing to begin the major in the following fall semester

August 1: for students wishing to begin the major in the following fall semester but
need to complete the prerequisite classes during the summer session

Continued Retention in the Social Work Program

Students receiving a grade of "D" or lower in any course used for the social work
major will be required to repeat the course.

Continued retention is contingent upon upholding the principles of the NASW Code of
Ethics, being able to demonstrate an understanding of social work knowledge, values,
and skills, and completing any recommendations generated by the BSW Admissions and
Retention Committee (BSW Handbook, p.27)